The Ramadan Fast Fostered Muslim Resistance to Slavery

Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar — the month in which the Holy Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and the month in which all Muslims hope to develop consciousness of Allah through fasting. Although mainstream media would have us believe that Islam is a newfound concept in the Americas, its roots are deeper and far more vast than the current immigrant Muslim population and can be traced earlier than the transatlantic slave trade.

Islamic culture’s impact on the New World, and especially the institution of slavery, is seldom discussed or recognized, although it’s estimated that between 15 and 30 percent of the enslaved population were Muslim. Many of these believers were from West African countries, though some fled the onslaught of the Crusades and settled in the New World prior to 1492. Others came as guides, explorers,…

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Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection, improvement and increased devotion and worship. Muslims are expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam. The fast (sawm) begins at dawn and ends at sunset. In addition to abstaining from eating and drinking during this time, Muslims also increase restraint, such as abstaining from sexual relations